Graduation Day

Yesterday was HS graduation at ICS and it got me thinking about my own students who are graduating this year. One of my 8th grade classes from BAICA will walk across the stage soon, as will my last group of 6th graders from Lincoln (the rest of my Lincoln students are already college aged, and hopefully IN college, which ummm, doesn't make feel old at all).  At a large high school like Pioneer, graduation is just two hours of torture, but at a small school it is kind of sweet, and every time I have to go to one it makes me want to stick around somewhere long enough to see my own students graduate. I am already setting aside mental space and money to be in Buenos Aires when the class of 2016 graduates, especially if one particular kid is still there.

It would be nice to see the kids that I have poured into make that move from childhood to adulthood. I look at my 8th graders and I look at the Seniors and I marvel at how quickly they grow and change in those four years. What I can't quite imagine is being one of their parents. I love watching the parents during the ceremony. They are looking at their 18 year old, but all they are seeing is the toothless baby grin, the kindergarten Mother's Day card, the awkward preteen enthusiasm, and the tears of teenage drama. For international Seniors, graduation often means moving to another country, another continent, and can mean living thousands of miles away from family- no wonder their moms are crying!

So maybe someday I will get to see my students, my kids, complete that milestone. I want to see the boys who wrote sixth grade poems full of poop jokes and girls who burst into tears when they forgot their PE clothes, the ones who loved reading Geronimo Stilton or struggled to line up their decimals. I want to see them look back and get all sentimental and then walk forward into all that life has for them.


Also, couldn't write this post without congratulating all my graduating cousins this year! Three from high school: Robin, Anna, and Will; one from undergrad: Carolyn; and one who just added an MD to her name: Rachel. Wish I had made it home in time for all the celebrations.

Crumpled papers

If you haven't read the blog long enough to know about Nak Suu, where I teach English in Saturdays, this will give you a bit of background. Today at Nak Suu I was reminded about how/why love never gives up, because some days it would be really easy to give up.

Some weeks the lesson I teach goes well, and I feel like the kids get something out of it, and some weeks I feel like I am talking to myself the whole time. There's a group of boys who come who live in a boys home.  They have it rough. They are the kind of kids that Nak Suu is designed for, but I admit that sometimes on the weeks they can't come I breath a sigh of relief.  Some of them are great, but collectively they are a whole lot of work, and at times a whole lot of naughty. And yet we love them, because God loves them. We love them because they are in many ways, just products of their environment and upbringing and since they don't see a hope and a future we have to see it for them.

Recently in my lessons I have been trying to incorporate literacy and just expose the kids to more language, using picture books to help them understand it. So this week we made little books for them to read and practice at home.  As it, I put them together and the kids colored them. Being a bit dense, I didn't start putting the books together until Friday night, so some friends helped me finish since it was going to take me hours.  The entire time I was working on them, in the back of my mind I knew, they were just going to end up on the ground or in the trash, but I wanted to believe that maybe this time would be different. Maybe this time we would make something and they would actually take it with them. And I do think that maybe a few kids did take them home, but I sure picked up a lot of them at the end of the day. When I handed them back to the kids at the end of the morning, before they left, a few laughed and gave them back, telling me they didn't want them.

How often we do that to God. How often does he prepare something for us, something that will benefit us, and we crumple it on the ground? But he keeps giving, keeps loving, keeps hoping on our behalf for the day when we will see that it is good, and see that it has value, and see it as a gift.

And so it is at Nak Suu. We prepare crafts and projects and lessons. We cut fruit and run drills and serve lunch. And we pray that one day it will start to stick in their minds and hearts, even if we never see it.

Countdown

It is a truth universally acknowledged that the teacher is probably counting down longer and harder than any of the students...

15 alarm clocks and 14.5 days, just so you know. And back in Michigan in 23. Where hopefully it won't be high 90's with crazy humidity.

I know I can't really complain about the weather because its not snowing, and believe me, I am grateful for that, but the last week or so has been unbelievably hot. Hotter than hot. Unbearable. So I will be happy for a few weeks of Great Lakes State summer. Until then I shall do my best not to melt.

The last weeks of school are crazy at any school, and that only gets magnified at an international school where there are a multitude of events associated with The Great Turnover. And at ICS, always a host of bridal showers for that year's crop of summer brides as well. It's grat fun if I pace myself. Tomorrow is the big collective garage sale after school, in the school cafeteria, where everyone who is leaving tries to sell all their stuff. Perhaps there will be some sanity for sale to carry me through :)

Actually though, year two has gone remarkably well.  I have had good kids and great colleagues, serveral of whom are leaving and will be dearly missed.  It's the never ending story of the expat life!

Symbiosis: Life in our community

Symbiosis.  A word we all learned in Bio class.  A word that has come to mean so much to me lately. 

Last September my friends had twins.  I used to think third-child babies were awesome (their mamas are alwasy so willing to hand them over to me) but twins are even better: there is always someone to hold.  I've always loved babies.  I remember having my arm propped up on a pilliow in the house on Thayler to learn how to feed a baby a bottle. And we moved from there when I was 6. 

So when the twins, O-man and E-girl, were born, I was so excited.  What's even better is the symbiotic relationship that has developed over the past 7 months of their little lives. 

When you're living away from your family- be it across the state or across the world- it's always nice to have a home away from home, a place where you can go anytime, where you are fully comfortable and able to be yourself.  In college I always had my Aunt Mo's house.  In Buenos Aires I had my friend Jeannette.  But nothing in Bangkok had really filled that- a place to be and 'do nothing' and be with people, not home alone. For me, it's a critical component to feeling settled and at home in a place.  So as wonderful as our community is here, I was still lacking that. 

I needed a safe place, where I didn't have to be "on" in any way.  They needed an extra set of hands for the twinks.  It's been a match made in heaven.  I love the time I get to spend talking with their mom and dad, watching some Downton Abbey or March Madness too. I love that they don't feel any need to clean the place up before I come over, and I once went over practically in my pajamas.  I love that I wear the same old t-shirts anytime I go over- the probability of being drooled/spit/puked on is 100%.  And perhaps most of all, I love that I can be useful, that my being there not only benefits me, but their family as well. It's really blossomed into a beautiful symbiotic relationship, and certainly blesses me abundantly. 

I would be remiss if I did not also point out that I benefit from my friend's amazing cooking as well.  I don't cook a lot here- teaching full time just does not afford me much time or energy for groceries and cooking.  My grocery delivery came two days late this week and one night I ate frozen peas and Pringles for dinner. It's that bad.  So while I certainly don't go just for the food, it sure is an added bonus that baby bedtime coincides with dinner.  

These two little people have stolen my heart. Nothing cures a stressful day quicker than a grin from E or a belly laugh from O.  I love watching their personalities emerge and getting to be part of their first days and months of life.  Seriously, nothing beats a bedtime snuggle from O!

(sorry- have some issues with blogger and it won't size the pictures right, but that's okay since they are so darn cute!)

O and E's early days.





We took this when I was over one day and the toy pile around them was just ridiculous. 




She is going to die of extreme cuteness.



Such a happy, content baby!

The Great Wall

Sometimes you go to popular tourist sites only to find out that they are a bit disappointing. Not so with China's Great Wall.  The scenery is stunning and the wall itself lives up to its billing.  We took a 3 hour bus ride from Beijing in order to get to Jinshanling, a section of the wall that is gorgeous, less visited than the closer sites, and much less reconstructed/touristed. There were still a few hawkers, but much less than Angkor Wat or other such attractions.  It was well worth the drive.  The beginning of the wall had been rebuilt around 1980, but most of what we walked on was the Real Deal. And once we got away a bit, there weren't many people at all. 

It was a glorious day to spend in the mountain sunshine and a great ending to our time in China. 

Beijing

My first impression of Beijing was COLD.  After balmy sunny days in Hong Kong and Shanghai, we were met with a blast of cold air when the train stopped in Beijing.  It was sunny the day we arrived, but quite chilly and windy.  We visited Tianamen Square in the afternoon, where we definitely felt the government's presence. Quite unlike Shanghai, we actually felt their presence all throughout the city. 

Gate of Heavenly Peace at Tianamen Square

 Beijing had a much grittier feel than Shanghai, less shiny and more "authentically Chinese".  We wandered around some hutong neighborhoods after Tianamen Square and enjoyed the older feel of the place. 

Courtyard we wandered into on a hutong street

 That evening we did what every good tourist does: we went to the movies :)  Jeanie had told us about a movie that was currently showing called Beijing to Seattle and since Holly used to live in the Seattle area we wanted to see it.  Plus, we figured the theater would be a lot warmer than exploring outside.  The movie was a cheesy romantic comedy that gave an interesting look into the culture and how it related to the States- a great blend for us. 

One thing we did that afternoon was book a tour for the next day out to the Great Wall.  We wanted to go to a section of the wall that was further away than the main two over-touristed places. Most Great Wall tours go to those two and also include stops at Jem Factories or Museums where they try to coerce you into spending more money. We wanted more wall time and no shopping.  The first places we tried didn't have trips out to the section we wanted to visit, but we finally found one that did and promised us "No shopping".  We paid a small deposit and arranged for them to pick us up at our hotel the next morning.

That next day, Friday, the high was only about 50F, gray and overcast.  We put on every layer we had brought and waited in the lobby.  For an hour.  Eventually we called the tour company to find out where they were, only to find that the tour guide had been sitting across from us in the lobby, looking like a guest, for the last hour. Why didn't she approach us?  She assumed that my Korean-born yet very American friend Holly was my Chinese tour guide.  And she didn't bother to ask questions.  On the way to the car she explained that they would take us to a different (closer) section than the one we signed up for, was that okay? Ummmm, NO!  And there would be two museum stops.  We declined.  It waas frustrating, but at the same time we are very thankful that all this came out before we even left so we could get our depoist back and take a different tour on Saturday, our last day. 

So there we were, not even 9am, dressed and ready for a freezing cold day.  What to do?  Go see Chairman Mao's embalmed body of course!  A strange activity, yes, but a free one, and quite a cultural experience.  There was a long line of middle aged and elderly Chinese tourists wating in the spitting rain. When we tried to join the line guards were pushing us out of the way. One of them tried to talk to Holly (everywhere we went people assumed she spoke Chinese, which I found pretty amusing). Once he realized we didn't understand a word he was saying, he took her by the hand, and led her across Tianamen Square towards a bag drop area. Ahhhh, it was the backpack.  Still holding her hand, he marched right up to the front of the line, took her, bag, motioned for us to remove our wallets and passports, and then proceeded to drop off our bag for us.  He then took her hand and led us back to the Mausoleum entrance where he asked us for 10 yuan (around $1.50). Hahaha. Always a catch. 

Entrance to Mao's Mausoleum- pic taken the afternoon before we visited. Visitors allowed in the morning only.

After visiting Mao, we went to Forbidden City. It was cold, but at least by then the rain had stopped and there were moements of sunshine.

First view walking into Forbidden City

View from a park north of Forbidden City- give you an idea of how HUGE it is.



View of Beijing from the park.

  Later that afternoon we did our souvenir shopping (putting our awesome bargaining skills to use, except for when one vendor grabbed onto me and WOULD NOT let go) and booked a new Great Wall tour- to the area we wanted, no museums, no shopping, no lies.  One day left in China, and one thing left to see!

Shanghai

Shanghai was not what I expected.  I hadn't exactly heard bad things about it, but certainly not anything good, and mostly along the lines of "just another big city without character".  Boy were they wrong!  I found it walkable, pleasant, pretty, easy to navigate, and modern.  The lovely spring weather definitely helped in all that :) 

With Jessica

Perhaps the highlight for me in Shanghai was having dinner with my uncle and his wife and my little 4 year old cousin Jessica, whom I had never had a chance to meet.  She oozed personality, moving and playing and chatting her way through dinner- holding my hand all the way.  I loved it! 

Beautiful leafy street in the French Concession area where we were staying.

 Another highlight of Shanghai is also people related- Holly has friends who are living there for a year and we were able to stay with them.  Ken and Jeanie were awesome hosts and we had a great time with them.  Jeanie constantly impressed us with her Mandarin skills and knowledge of great local spots. 

Holly, Jeanie, and I in the Old Town area



Went to the beautiful Yu Gardens

  

Walking the Bund, with Pudong skyscrappers in the background

We were able to go to a few museums, get the world's best dumplings, visit People's Square, watch Shanghai Calling, and enjoy various other noodles, activities, pots of tea, and fun times.   
 

Pudong at night



Last night- a glass of wine at the bar on the 32nd floor

  After just over 2 days we boarded a bullet train bound for Beijing.  We were impressed with the rail system- a new, clean, fast (300km/hr) and punctual train that far outshone Amtrak (not that it's difficult to do so). 


Countryside from the train